SteelerWatch

The typical defensive end in the NFL is built for a combination of power and speed. Some lean one way or the other; Dwight Freeny is a speed-rushing defensive end, using primarily speed and quickness to get to the quarterback. Guys like Michael Strahan rely more on power and technique to get into the offensive backfield. And there are beasts like Jevon Kearse who are both fast and insanely strong.

Then there’s the atypical end: a 3-4 guy. Because the 4-3 defensive enjoys widespread adoption in the NFL, most ends are smaller and quicker. But their job is getting to the quarterback; traditionally, in a 3-4 defense, an end exists purely for run defense, and to occupy offensive linemen while the much smaller (230 to 250 pounds), much quicker linebackers attack the quarterback. They’re often huge, tipping the scales at 270 to 300 pounds or more, and they’re strong, too. These aren’t interior, gut-over-the-belt defensive tackles. They’re solid, chiseled and, usually, meaner than hell.

And of all the 3-4 defensive ends in the league, Steeler standout Aaron Smith may just be the best of them all.

In his seven years as a starter, Smith has put together 333 tackles, 34 sacks and seven forced fumbles.  He’s been the top-producing end on the team each of those years.  But, as I said before, the role of an end in a 3-4 defensive is to occupy space and bodies, not to put up big numbers.  It is Smith’s ability to collapse the tackle he’s lined up against that makes him so good. In fact, many teams realize they need to double-team him, which is hard to do when Nose Tackle Casey Hampton has already picked up two or three bodies inside.  The 3-4 defense’s entire point is to create mismatches that result in the defense effectively outnumbering the offense, and these two guys have often combined to take on four and five opponents at once, freeing up other guys to make plays.

The only downside to Smith is that there’s not much more to say about him.  He keeps his mouth shut and his nose clean off the field, and then gives it all he’s got on Sunday.  He’s a model NFL citizen and a prototype 3-4 defensive end.  Unfortunately for Smith, being on a 3-4 line doesn’t get him the recognition and the Pro Bowl votes he really deserves, but if he’s unhappy about that he’s never said a word.

The Steelers recognized Smith’s importance to the team this off-season and  extended his contract through the 2011 season, effectively ensuring that Smith will enter his ninth season knowing that the rest of his playing days will be spent in black and gold.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 16th, 2007 at 7:37 am and is filed under My Opinion, Defense. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.